Raegan was taken aback by his ultimatum. Clearly, he was determined to force her out. She responded defiantly, "I didn't push Katie. Her miscarriage has nothing to do with me. I refuse to pay the price for something I'm not responsible for..."

Before she could finish, Mitchel interrupted her sharply. His tone was icy. “Raegan, this isn't a negotiation. Given the influence of the Glyn and Dixon families, once you're behind bars, you'll never be released."

Raegan paused, stunned, and let out a bitter laugh. "So if I refuse, you'd have me die in prison?"

Mitchel's silent stare was confirmation enough.

Raegan forced a smile, her body going cold. “Fine, I agree."

Her agreement was not born of fear but of sheer exhaustion. The sudden revelation of the truth had caught her off guard, leaving her reeling. Human as she was, she was susceptible to great pain.

While Raegan could call on the Foster family to oppose the Glyn and Dixon dynasties, the odds were heavily stacked against them in Ardlens. She was unwilling to put the Foster family at risk on her behalf or to endanger her unborn children.

Besides, her departure had been imminent. Mitchel's urgency simply hastened it. As Mitchel's wedding approached in just a week, his reasons for wanting her gone became painfully clear.

Approaching the door, Raegan halted but didn't turn around. Her words were meant for both him and herself. "Mitchel, you've mastered the art of wounding me deeply enough to force my hand. In your zeal to hurt me, you reveal your own guilt. Maybe I'm imagining things. Perhaps you've hidden nothing. Or maybe my reluctance to let go is causing these illusions. Regardless, you've inflicted deep wounds. Whatever your intentions, you've achieved your goal."

With her eyes closed and voice steady, Raegan declared, “Rest assured, I'll leave and won't trouble you again."

With that, Raegan quickly exited, unaware that after the door shut, Mitchel's eyes reddened and tears streamed down his face. He then clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground.

Meanwhile, in the high-level hospital ward...

Matteo, having just returned to Ardlens after being away on business, was catching up on the situation. His absence these days was replaced by several new assistants around Mitchel.

Upon returning, Matteo learned of Katie's condition and saw Mitchel's frail but stubborn demeanor, which pained him deeply.

There were sentiments Matteo hesitated to express due to his position.

Nevertheless, after much deliberation, he addressed Mitchel, "Mr. Dixon, is it necessary to go to these lengths? Mrs. Dixon..."

Pausing, Matteo shifted his way of addressing Raegan. "I understand your concern for Miss Foster's safety. Yet, considering she has the protection of the Foster family and Mr. Erick Foster's formidable bodyguards, we should be able to manage this situation. Why force her so far away and leave yourself with no way out?"

Mitchel's face remained ashen and detached as he responded, "I don't need a way out."

Unbeknownst to Matteo, Mitchel had already left no way out and relinquished any hope for himself. He saw no future or continuity for his own life with the toxin torturing him. His sole focus was arranging everything for Raegan, ensuring a carefree life ahead of her, even he was out of her life. He preferred that Raegan remember him not with painful longing but with vehement hatred after his departure, making it easier for her to move on.

Matteo, unable to grasp the depth of Mitchel's despair, failed to understand his motives.